For
some, the recently completed apartment buildings represent a dream come
true. All the more, they are located in an upscale district overlooking
the city of Almaty. A large department store is nearby and a
well-equipped playground is for the kids. Those living here are
experiencing a new life of comfort, convenience and prestige.

Other new apartment
buildings are located throughout the city, not as tall but still
they are new and much better than the drab, monotonous and crowded
structures of the past. Gone are the weeds and trash, the cramped
parking spaces and the laundry always hanging in the small balconies.
On the other hand, the green, tree-lined streets of the old
neighborhoods were nice and the narrow streets prevented people from
driving too fast. However, the playgrounds for the kids were small and
poorly maintained.

Luxury homes are for the
few. Some are located in districts carved out among the office
buildings and retail outlet stores. Behind the high fenced backyards,
there is room to park at least three cars and also have a putting
green. For others, people have moved to the suburbs to the mountain
foothills where there is more room to build, less pollution and away
from city traffic. There are those who have moved even farther from the
city where all around are green pastures, tree-lined roads and a
peaceful tranquility.

Overlay: Pray that
people will not base happiness and a new life on a luxury home.

These homes represent a
new life for the very wealthy, a life much different from the past.
No big construction trucks rumbling up the narrow highway, no concern
about places to park their cars. The crowded, jumbled up neighborhoods
of the past were always depressing along with the industrial activity
that seemed to encroach upon the homes.

While many are
experiencing this new life, others are still waiting. Throughout the
city, there are partially completed apartment buildings. In Almaty,
as well as other cities of Kazakhstan, the construction has all but
stopped resumption is uncertain. The money to finance this massive
building campaign is gone. Construction contractors have filed for
bankruptcy or just pulled up stakes and left. All over the country,
individuals purchased an apartment flat based on the promise of early
completion, a promise that they could soon move in and experience a
new life. To make the purchase, they sold their old home and borrowed
money from the bank and from relatives. Currently, their loan payments
continue but the construction does not. Nowadays all they have is
insurmountable debt, shattered dreams and despair. Their new life did
not happen, their future is uncertain. They do not know where to turn.
Their hope is gone.

Construction of large
homes in the suburbs has experienced a similar fate. Many homes remain
only partially completed. The melancholy of the full moon in the late
evening seems to underscore the situation in the mountain foothills.
Failed businesses and reduced incomes for the wealthy have put their
plans on hold. For some, their uncompleted dream home is for sale. It
is not known when their home can be completed. Their future is
uncertain. The street is empty now. It is lonely sharing this
neighborhood with empty houses.

Overlay Scripture

Anyone who belongs to
Christ has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Will you earnestly pray
that those who have been seeking the new life of houses and
possessions will truly find the New Life of love, joy and peace
through faith in Jesus Christ?

Overlay: Pray that
someone will share Jesus with this family.

There are a few places
around the city that offer true hope; a hope that these broken ones
were not seeking; a hope for the New Life a life that does not
depend upon circumstances or upon their environment.

A small sign that points
the way identifies one of these places. The road is narrow, past a
few buses and cars. There is little room to park and the building is
old; in fact, it once was a high school gymnasium. But, look around,
there are many people here; some Russian, others Kazakh. There are
old people, young people. They are all coming and going; little
groups talking among themselves; others greeting strangers.

Overlay: Pray that
someone will bring them to this place.

This is a place where
people come together regularly to experience the New Life in Jesus
Christ. This is a place where joy is evident; a place where smiles
light up faces; a place where acceptance is demonstrated and a place
where the focus is Jesus  not self or circumstances.

[Several scenes from church worship service
with subtitles.]

Overlay Praise Song:

You are my way, my truth, my life.
I will live for You alone.
You alone, Jesus are the path
on which I can live. I will walk with You.

Overlay
Praise Song:

I raise my
hands and say to You,
my Lord, how I love You.
My salvation, my hope is in You alone.
You are the wellspring of my life.
My joy, my love. My life is in You.
I raise my hands in praise
to the One who loves me.

Pronunciation:

Almaty ahl-MAH-tee

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